The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-14
A BADLY TREATED OFFICER
Circumstances of 7. T. Ryan's Resigna-
ton as Treasury Agent at Alaska.
Refused an Opportunity to Prove Himself
Innocent Of Malicious Charges Made
Against Him by His Enemies.

Mr. Thomas II. Ryan. of this city, who has
been in the government service Treasury
agent at the seal islands in the Aleutian archi
peago, off the laska coast. has resigned under
circumstances that mako him feel that ne has
been outrageousEy treated Said he to Jour
nal interviewer yesterday afternoon: "The first
mention of this matter was on Tuesday of last
week. A dispatch came from Washington from
Mr.. r. ]. Bright to ex-senator Mcdonald. that
the Secretary Of the Treasury had announced TO
Senator Voorhees, and Congressman Holman
and Matson that ! would not be allowed to
turn TO Alaska that things had shaped them
selves that no must either ask me to resign-get
out of the way-or the other three one my
superior and the other two under me- would
have to do so. The gentlemen have mentioned
asked what was the matter. The Secretary said
the main thing was that / was drunk going out
on board1ship, and that 1 had given whisky to
the natives; that he had letters from the com
pauy's people, and from revenue officers
that was quarreisome to the men in authori ty
that 1 had given whisky to tho natives,
drunk on board ship, and was in tho habit of
getting drunk l arrived in Washington on
Wednesday of last week, and. on Thursday,
these gentlemen said they would see the Secre-
tary again, and that the Secretary would give me
hearing. On Friday was ready to 60 when
Senator Voorhees, announced to me that the
appointment of another man had been consum-
mated, and thatit was useless to have hearing;
that he didn't see that il would do any good;
that the Secretary was positive in the matter,
and that had to 60. suggesting to me to resign.
That l refused to do, and told Mr.. Voorhees, and
other friends that any charge that could be
brought against me, as to duty, could meet. !
said would have to be dismissed for would
not resign. But, under the pressure of sur
rounding friends, 1 finally concluded it would be
best to resign under protest
after the resignation, tried two or three
different times to get interview with Mr..
Fairchild, the Secretary OF the Tresury, but in
vain. then drew up my protest. and added to
it, finding there was no charge against me filed
in the Office, and also discovering that my re-
ports to the head officer of the seal islands had
not been sent in according to regulations of the
Treasury, the reading Of which would throw
some light on the subject. left these with my
protest with Colonel Williams, the Third Au-
1tor. who promised to Law them before MIR. Fair
child and see if he would read them. The fol-
owing are the papers in the case beginning with
ny resignation:
'WAsHrSaToN D. c., April 0, 1887.
"Hon. g. =. Fairchild. Secretary of the Treasury
Dear Sir-Being informed that charges have
been made against me to the effect that, while
scting ms Treasury agent to tho Alaska fur
Stands, have been intoxicated, ana have fur
,ishad intoxicating liquors TO the natives of
Alaska, take this method of denounclng such
charges as false, and protest against any action
Of the department to my prejudice based upon
shem. l declare my lnnocense of each and
very accusation laid to my charge and under
aifferent circumstances to time and opportu-
atty, can demonstrate the same. To relieve
The department., however of any embarrass-
ment on my account, and with view to the
harmony Of the service in Alask, 1 hereby ten
der my resignation. Very respectfully,
IT. F. RYAN,
The protest is as follows:
''WAsHINGToN, D. c., April IL, 1887.
''Hon. C. s. Fairchild, Secretary of the Treasury
''Sir-On the 9th instant had the honor of
respectfully rendering my resignation to you as
special agent Of the Treasury Department to the
seal islands Of Alaska. The tender OF my said
resignation upon my part, desire now to say
was not a voluntary act, but what may pre-.
sumo as coercion having been informed
that certain charges affecting my reputation and
character officer and gentleman. had
been lodged with you. Although l asked and
demanded as matter OF right, as then sup
posed, that l should be furnished with the
.harges and specifications against me.
was then informed that the same were not
specially formulated. but that they arose in
general way from series of letters from my
colleagues. agents of the government upon said
Islands, especially Mr. Manchester. Not being
furnished with copy of the said charges. and
having been informed that could not be pro-
yided with copy of them. upon the urgent ad-
vice of friends was induced to tender my said
resignation they giving me to believe that I
should have opportunity Of fully indicating
myself before your department. 1t is for the
purpose of this vfndication that now address
you
81 wish to say in advance that the said charges
(f am correctly informed as to their import),
and only assume what they are. are maliciously
false and slanderous, and claim the right of
demanding their full investigation. l do not
suppose that the Treasury Department would
desire to do great personal injustice TO any
official in their employ, and. laboring under this
impression, / wish to submit the following
statement. which am ready to verify by my
affidavit. il desired:
''In the first place, am informed that am
charged with .intoxication.' aud having given
liquor to the inhabitants of the seal islands.
Upon this charge desire TO submit the follow
iLg statement: I took no liquor with me to the
seal islands, and Of the two small TASKS that
carried with me in my val.se on board the
steamer, and which TASKS were the present of
friend, and taken simply to be used in of
sickness. wish TO state that gave one of them
to Mrs. Jingle. for her husband. who was sea-
sick, and the other was taken from my valise
ana drunk by travelling companion. The only
liquor taken or sent to the island, outside of
whatever shipments there mi CHIT have been made
by the Alaska Commercial Company. was shipped
there by Treasury agents Lowed and Manches-
ter, who shipped two cases, of some thirty bot
ties each. half brandy and half wine,-one for
the island of st. Paul and the other as / was
Informed By Mr. Manchester for the island of
St George, was taken on to St Paul. and upon
my visit to that island l was informed by Cap
tain Lowed that, as Mr.. Manchester was to re-
turn to the United States in August, as we'll
as myself, we would NOT. perhaps find use
Tor the entire in the days Of sealing, and
that il had no objection he would take part of
II. to which assented He or some one took a
number out of the case, leaving the balance in
such a loose manner that when the case reached
the island of st. George number of bottles
were broken, leaving probably sixteen bottles of
brandy and wine, and which, after seventy
days. at the end of the sailing season. and when
about 20 leave the islands, finding fully still one
half OF 1t on hand, l carried it to the company's
drug store, delivering it to the companys phys-
clan. About the same time the above LIQUOR was
received received from friend in San Fra
cisco gallon OF whisky, which was consumed
by the employees OF the company and the men of
the revenue service, who were there and to
whom gave dance at the government house
in commemoration Of the efficient work done in
seizing marauders sealhunters
II desire expressly to state that during the
twelve months previous TO receiving the LIQUOR
above referred TO l received from the A c.
COMPANY seven or eight bottles of mort wine